Green Globe certifies German Convention Bureau

Aug 7, 2012

Green Globe has announced certification of the German Convention Bureau (GCB) in Frankfurt, Germany. “Sustainability for Success” is the motto, and Germany’s commitment to sustainability provides the convention and events sector with a crucial competitive edge. The German Convention Bureau is aiming to further strengthen Germany’s position in regards to green meetings and to ensure that German suppliers can compete successfully in the global market.

“Germany’s providers are already extremely well equipped to deliver sustainable events in all their various forms,” said Matthias Schultze, managing director, GCB. “Over the past year, the percentage of providers in the event sector that have integrated a sustainability management system into their companies increased by 10 percent to 37.7 percent. This means that every third provider has firmly established their dedication to sustainability in their organizational structure. The Meeting and Events Barometer 2012 indicated that 86 percent of event planners are convinced that green meetings will continue to increase into the future.”

In coordination with the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC) and supported by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), the GCB recently launched a new project for the development and communication of sustainable event management, and the training of 500 consultants on carbon-neutral events.

The GCB offers practical support for arranging green meetings, which includes a presentation of green initiatives and guidelines, such as the Event Carbon Footprint calculator and “Fit for Green Meetings” seminars for the event industry. Clients from neighboring countries, who are invited for educational trips to Germany, are provided transportation from Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway.

“We are extremely pleased to certify and partner with the German Convention Bureau GCB,” said Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe Certification. “The German conference sector is playing a key role in the shift towards eco-friendly business, and Germany is a preferred location for all conference planners who want their events to be in harmony with the environment and community. We have developed a management system, especially for venues, to which 39 members in Germany have signed up already. The highest standards for environmental protection have been applied in Germany for years and the idea of sustainability has become a tradition in this country.”